In England crops have increased two-fold, in Germany three-fold during the century, while in the United States there has been a continual decrease in yield per acre year by year. The time will come when a reaction will set in. The call will then come to the farmers of the east to increase their production. There is a better time in the near future for the eastern farmer".

WHY wouldn't it be a good plan for the secretary of Agriculture to make a slight improvement on this " seed boodle " business by devoting at least a portion of the $100,000 appropriated "for new and rare seeds, plants, cuttings, etc.," for plants and cuttings? We understand that not a dollar is so expended nowadays Why not, Mr. Secretary Rusk ? You know well enough that a mighty small portion of this great amount - equal in effect to $2,000,000 set apart for this purpose at 5 per cent. interest - is actually used for "new and rare seeds," to say nothing of the plants and cuttings. By-the-way, we would like to see an, exact statement of the goods that were really bought and sent during any one season, 1889-90 included. It would be mighty interesting reading to see whether our elevated Department of Agriculture is any improvement in this respect over the old agricultural bureau. We hope and suppose that it is ; but with the keeping up of this free seed racket in ever increasing proportions, we think it would puzzle even so astute a novelty specialist as Uncle Jerry Rusk to find enough of "new and rare" seeds on which to expend that $100,000 every year. They don't come done up in that kind of packages, unless forsooth, he lays in a cargo of seed of some new cauliflower, for example.

Seriously, the horticulturists, especially the pomologists of the country, are entitled to the consideration in the matter of " new and rare plants and cuttings " which it is provided by law should be theirs. New fruits and most ornamental trees and shrubs, etc., are better and more quickly and chiefly disseminated in this way than in any other, and many can be propagated true in no other way than by cuttings and similar methods. The United States Department of Agriculture in many cases might secure rare and valuable fruits, trees, etc., from remote countries, through our consuls, far more readily than any private importer. As a starter, Mr. Secretary, why not follow out Prof. J. L. Budd's suggestion in these columns, and send for the giant peaches of South Turkestan ? And you will get seeds in this case, too !

We shall not pretend to entirely cover or exhaust at once this fashionable and fascinating department of decorative art, but hope, as the season advances, to suggest, by a few examples, how satisfactory re-salts have been and may be obtained - now, by a design that has been employed on one of the ducal tables of Great Britain, and, again, by a picture of wild flowers gathered and arranged by an artistic American girl on some rustic dinner table. But why enumerate ? Better than all, if our friends will send to us photographs of artistic work with varied flowers from different sections of the country, then will our efforts have a greater interest than could be imparted by any other means. As in the case of all decorative work, the great effect depends upon the harmony of details ; but even these should be kept subordinate to the general scheme. But before going into particulars, let us take into consideration a few general principles that should be always regarded. In all decorations, fitness to place and occasion is important to success. Beauty and grace cannot be too prominent, but the attempt to increase them by crowding too many flowers upon a small space only gives an impression of vulgar ostentation.

If we have roses in the profusion of Lucullus, let us not pile them up until they fall and smother our guests, as at the feast of Helio-gobalus !

In giving consideration to the fitness of things, let us remember that a dinner differs from a banquet or entertainment on so large a scale that numerous tables or tables of great length are employed so that necessarily they are in great part beyond the immediate observation of any one guest. But let us consider a modern dinner where all the guests are seated, and let us not forget that politeness and humanity require us to give them the first consideration ; that the dinner is for them, not they for the dinner. Let us then avoid the use of flowers with strong odors, which are so liable to become oppressive and disagreeable to many when inhaled for any length of time, as some of the magnolias and lilies. Knowing the favorite flowers of any guest we delight to honor, it is sometimes a delicate attention to make them prominent. Among those who have given the subject their practical attention, it is universally conceded that for the sake of good form, the decorations in the center of the table should be kept so low as not to interfere with one's view of others, and give a sensation of hiding behind a floral hedge.

We may then be spared the embarrassment of a hostess who was politely requested by an honest gentleman to have one of these elaborate structures removed to enable him to see the ladies opposite.

All the theories of color and principles of decorative design can be worked out upon our festive boards, and the result will add another pleasure for those able to understand the effect, but none of us need despair, for much of the most beautiful work has been done by those who never even heard the names of Chevruel or Dresser.

True beauty is not achieved by rare and expensive flowers alone; just as beautiful are the leaves and flowers of forest and field and the product of our cottage gardens. The yellow and white of buttercups, or the common field daisies on a damask cloth, rival the beauty of golden orchids and allamandas. Roses, always beautiful, are sometimes tiresome to our society belles from their constant appearance on the table, and a person accustomed to their use and price can tell at a glance the cost of such a winter arrangement, and they sometimes make the pecuniary side of the entertainment undesirably prominent. After all, the daintiest, prettiest arrangement of roses for a dinner I ever saw, was composed of wild sweet-briers, perfect in their cuplike form and rosy-pink color, placed in a low plateau, filling the center of a large table and relieved by sprays of the pure white variety, the whole banked with abundance of their own fresh delicate foliage.

"Green dinners," in which Maiden-hair fern (Adiantum cuncatum) is alone used without flowers, have been justly popular, and nothing makes a prettier setting to the silver and china of the table service. In summer, just as effective work can be done with our native ferns, using plenty of the hardy native Maiden-hair (A. pedatum) if available. Lay some of the more delicate flat kinds directly on the white cloth, forming the outlines of any figure that may be admired, keeping the stems towards the middle of the table, and filling in towards the center with the light and feathery kinds, letting a few wave gracefully a little above the rest. Nothing makes a prettier bed for the base of a silver candelabrum, and the whole effect is cool and refreshing in hot weather.

Where plenty of flowers are available, a beautiful and graceful effect can be produced by making a mat of large, perfect leaves that will lie flat. Those of the tulip tree, sycamore and grape vine are useful, and during the summer the locust sends forth a fresh second growth, useful when other light feathery greens are hard to find. On this mat, with the buds projecting on the white cloth, lay dark, long-stemmed roses, or flowers of similar character, and they are most effective in couples, groups or bunches. Occasionally a red and a white one, with the white on an ivy leaf or some other dark background, are pleasing. The new red growth of tea rose leaves is good in this way, and enhances the pinks and yellows of the flowers. Keep all the stems towards the head or foot of the table as may be preferred, and add flowers and leaves until the whole space is covered, with every regard for the colors, but an easy, natural appearance in all. If the semblance to a large flat bouquet has been preserved, the stems at the end can, with good effect, be tied together with harmoniously colored ribbon, or a rustic effect may be preserved by using a few stalks of grain or some pretty vine.

This disarrangement and distribution of the flowers among the guests just before the party leaves the table, makes an interesting feature on an informal occasion, and always gives pleasure and promotes good feeling. The flowers keep well enough without water, but all imperfect or disfigured leaves should be rejected, for suggestions of insects and decay are unpleasant at such times. Noel Clinton.